resumo
Natural polysaccharides such as kappa-carrageenan are an important class of biomaterials for drug delivery. The incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles in polysaccharide hydrogels is currently being explored as a strategy to confer to the hydrogels novel functionalities valuable for specific bio-applications. Within this context, kappa-carrageenan magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites have been prepared and the effect of magnetic (Fe(3)O(4)) nanofillers in the swelling of the hydrogels and in the release kinetics and mechanism of a model drug (methylene blue) has been investigated. In vitro release studies demonstrated the applicability of the composites in sustained drug release. The mechanism controlling the release seems to be determined by the strength of the gel network and the extent of gel swelling, both being affected by the incorporation of nanofillers. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the release rate and profile could be tailored using variable Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles load. Thus, this seems to be a promising strategy for the development of drug delivery systems with tailored released behavior. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
palavras-chave
DRUG-RELEASE; CHITOSAN-ALGINATE; SIGMOIDAL RELEASE; DELIVERY-SYSTEMS; MATRIX TABLETS; NANOPARTICLES; BEHAVIOR; GELS; FORMULATIONS; PH
categoria
Chemistry; Polymer Science
autores
Daniel-da-Silva, AL; Moreira, J; Neto, R; Estrada, AC; Gil, AM; Trindade, T
nossos autores
Ana Cristina Estrada
Investigador Júnior
Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva
Investigador Principal
Ana Maria Pissarra Coelho Gil
Professor Associado com Agregação
Rodrigo de Sousa Trêpa Alves Neto
Estudante de doutoramento
Tito Trindade
Professor CatedráticoGrupos
G1 - Materiais Porosos e Nanossistemas
G4 - Materiais Renováveis e Economia Circular
G5 - Materiais Biomiméticos, Biológicos e Vivos
agradecimentos
We thank the RNME (National Electronic Microscopy Network) for SEM images. The authors acknowledge FCT, FSE and POPH for funding.